Discreetness wears down the speed in Smarty Jones

Veteran trainer "Jinks" Fires had a low-key 2015, reaching the winner's circle just seven times from 112 starts. Three of those wins were courtesy of Discreetness, the undisputed star of the stable who added Monday's $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn to his growing list of accomplishments.

A 9-1 chance ridden by Fires' son-in-law, Jon Court, Discreetness rated in third outside the dueling pair of Gordy Florida and 3-5 favorite Toews On Ice, who battled through fractions of :23.46 and :47.81. Retaking the lead around the far turn, Gordy Florida got six furlongs in 1:12.43 as Toews On Ice began to tire racing along the rail and Discreetness came under increasingly strong urging from Court.

Discreetness drew even with Gordy Florida soon after entering the short stretch, and the two tussled for much of the final furlong before Discreetness edged clear by a neck. The final time for one mile on a fast track was 1:38.05, a stakes record.

Owned by Xpress Thoroughbreds, Discreetness paid $20.20. Gordy Florida, who took his first two starts at Remington, easily held second by 1 3/4 lengths over the rallying second choice Synchrony. Luna de Loco finished fourth, while Toews On Ice faded to sixth in an effort that further exposed his distance limitations. Winner of the Bob Hope (G3) over seven furlongs, he had been a tiring second in the 1 1/16-mile Los Alamitos Futurity (G1) in his previous start.

By winning the Smarty Jones, Discreetness earned 10 points towards Kentucky Derby (G1) eligibility as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.

This was the second consecutive stakes win for Discreetness, who gutted out a neck victory in the slop December 13 in Remington's $250,000 Springboard Mile. Discreetness was sent to post at 9-1 in that race, too.

Debuting over the Polytrack at Arlington last August, Discreetness won that 5 1/2-furlong dash by 1 3/4 lengths, but was only sixth in the Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3) next out after a slow start. Rebounding to take a first-level allowance by 8 1/2 lengths going seven furlongs at Churchill in his first dirt race, Discreetness again took a step back when eight lengths fourth in the $81,000 Street Sense at Churchill over a mile on November 1.

A $105,000 March juvenile purchase at OBS, Discreetness is a son of Discreet Cat and the Elusive Quality mare Fondness, a half-sister to Group 1-winning sprinter Bahamian Pirate and multiple Grade 2 scorer Strong Hope. He was bred in Kentucky by Trackside Farm and Tenlane Farm.

Discreetness' fifth dam was Broodmare of the Year Best in Show, whose descendants also include Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour.

(Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography)